POPE Francis has started visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore as part of his Southeast Asia and South Pacific Tour.

Popes visit a large number of countries during their tenure and papal visits are symbolic, historical and memorable for the faithful.

The naturally arising question for Malaysian Christians is why has the Pope not visited the country since Merdeka 67 years ago, and even after the country had established diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 2011.

Whenever there are international Papal tours, one is peeved as to why the Pope misses Malaysia. Malaysian Christians especially the Catholics are eager to meet the Pope and the wait has been far too long.

It is time the Malaysian government stops its nonchalant stand against the Papacy and also stop giving flimsy excuses that disappoint and irritate the Malaysian Christians.

It is time the East Malaysians especially the Sarawakians take a serious stance on the need for a Papal visit that will lead to better interaction and understanding between the diverse religious communities.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which was supposed to be more liberal than previous administrations that have been proffering silly excuses, needs to take the initiative to invite the Pope to visit Malaysia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been reaching out to various international leaders in an effort to promote the country as one of political stability, economic progress and democracy to woo not only investors but also enhance Malaysia’s global image.

A Papal visit should be part of this broad initiative and effort. Excuses such as that it will cause ill-will or will be opposed by some sections of Malaysian Muslims are totally unfounded.

In fact, a large number of Muslims worldwide appreciate and welcome the efforts of Pope Francis is fostering good relations, peace and friendship amongst various religions especially Islam.

The head of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, His grace the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby visited Penang and Sabah in 2019.

If this could be done, why not a Papal visit? It must be noted that there are more Catholics than Anglicans in the country.

As such the government’s misgivings and reasons cannot be regarded as rational or that which can pass muster.

The Christian community in Malaysia has been supportive of the government in its various nation-building efforts and the government need to take this into account when dealing with the community’s aspirations and expectations.

The Christian community is grateful to the government for allowing Christians and others to visit the Holy Land via Jordan even though Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

This gesture is very much appreciated and more incentives and initiatives like this for the Christian community will be much welcomed.

It is a well-known fact that the West Malaysian Christian community is weaker and easily intimidated as compared to the East Malaysian Christians.

As such a serious effort needs to be undertaken by East Malaysian Christians and their leaders to pressure the government for an invitation for a papal visit.

It is hoped that the influential Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, who is more assertive in demanding that the Malaysian government recognise and respect the nation’s diversity for its own good, will take the lead in urging the PH government to invite the Pope for an official visit to both East and West Malaysia whose Christian populations are eager to greet and interact with the Pope. - Sept 5, 2024

V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/popes-visit-to-msia-long-overdue-govt-must-consider-christian-communitys-feelings/